as a way to afford a college education, but the real education she received was in iraq where on march 23rd, 2003, her convoy took a wrong turn and was ambushed by iraqis, she was captured and became the first american p.o.w. to be successfully rescued since world war ii. >> on april 1st, 2003, a special army special forces, rescue jumpers, army rangers and navy seals landed in iraq. the mission, to take home jessica lynch. they entered the hospital where she was being held, and found her. >> where do the windows go out to? >> it's okay. >> lynch was suffering from mental distress and severe physical injuries, including several broken bones. within seven minutes of the first american boots hitting the ground, lynch was on a helicopter headed for much needed medical attention. after nine days in captivity, her nightmare was over. >> you're doing wonderful, okay? >> welcome back. >> her rescue-- (applause) >> indeed her rescue launched the news coverage and she was a hero. she says she's not going to take credit for something she tonight do and survived herself simply as a survivor. would yo
